This M.S.Ed. program follows a cohort structure allowing two courses per semester (6 cr hrs) which will be offered back to back one evening a week. Each course will be designed to accommodate a hybrid structure; combining face to face classroom instruction with lecture and internet enhancement via MSSU Blackboard.
The mission of the Teacher Education Department is to develop reflective educators for a global society.
The MSSU Teacher Education faculty and staff are dedicated to developing competent teachers who will incorporate into their classrooms a strong foundation of knowledge and pedagogy; a lifelong love of teaching and learning; and motivation to improve practice through reflection, self-study, and professional development. It is our goal to assure that all candidates become ethical classroom practitioners, cognizant of the need to help all students meet their full learning potential. All Teacher Education programs have been approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
|Required for degree completion||36 credit hours|
|General Education||15 credit hours|
|Improvement of Instruction||3|
|Major Requirements||21 credit hours|
|Advanced Learning Theories||3|
|Managing Classroom Environments||3|
|Assessment of Student Learning||3|
|Multiculturalism in Education||3|
|EDUC 601||Current Issues|
This course is designed to help educators become more aware of current issues and topics related to education. Topics will be studied within both historical and current contexts. The goal is to provide educators strategies to succeed in their teaching environments.
|EDUC 605||Educational Technology|
This course is designed to provide an overview of various technologies designed to promote student learning. The goal is to provide information on how to use technology in areas such as differentiation, assessment and student/teacher productivity.
|EDUC 610||Multiculturalism in Education|
This course is designed to provide strategies for creating an inclusive classroom environment. The goal is to provide information about effective methods of inclusion and instruction for all students including those who have diversity of ability, culture, language, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or family constellation.
|EDUC 615||Managing Classroom Environments|
This course is designed to provide seasoned teachers an opportunity to assess their classroom management style with a focus on improving performance. The goal is to explore common classroom management issues and provide information on multiple management strategies.
|EDUC 620||Advanced Learning Theories|
This course is designed to inform students about the major theorists who have contributed to the study of learning. The goals are to examine how contemporary learning theories evolved from historical perspectives and to identify a personal philosophy of teaching and learning.
|EDUC 625||Literacy Instruction|
This course is designed to provide an overview of the key factors influencing student literacy including motivation and meta-cognitive awareness. The goal is to provide strategies for whole group and differentiated literacy and to create a classroom literacy plan.
|EDUC 630||Assessment of Student Learning|
This course is an overview of the current research, theory and practice related to assessment and student learning. The goal is to assist students in seeing the relationship between research and practice and to provide a framework to use when making decisions about assessment methods and instructional strategies.
|EDUC 650||Research Design|
This course is an overview of the various methods used in conduction educational research. The goals are to provide information about qualitative, quantitative and action research methods and give examples of how each is used in P-12 educational settings. Students will design an action research project that could be used in their educational environment.
|EDUC 635||School Law|
This course is a survey of the laws and policies that govern P-12 education and their theoretical foundations. The goal is to provide information about how federal and state law drives P-12 policy and funding and the common legal issues that arise.
|EDUC 660||Teacher Leadership|
In this course, students will identify characteristics of the effective teacher leader and examine issues such as leadership styles, facilitation, reflection and problem solving. Students will also analyze their role as a current/potential leader and suggest a plan for maximizing their potential.
|EDUC 640||Curriculum Construction|
This course is designed to provide information related to current P-12 curriculum development. The goal is for students to apply information from prior courses (technology, inclusion,differentiation, assessment and learning theory) and current state and federal standards to construct relevant curriculum for a specific grade or content area.
|EDUC 645||Improvement of Instruction|
This course is designed to provide seasoned teachers an opportunity to assess their teaching styles and strategies with a focus on improving performance and becoming an instructional leader. The goal is for students to integrate multiple data sources and information from prior courses (technology, inclusion, differentiation, assessment and learning theory) in their improvement plans.
1. Complete application for admission and pay application fee. (See US Citizens Application)
2. Submit undergraduate transcript showing a minimum overall grade point average of 3.00 and other graduate program transcripts (if applicable). Students with a G.P.A. below 3.00 may seek Tentative Admission. (make advisement appointment with Graduate Program Coordinator)
3. Achieve a minimum score of 700 on the combined verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination. For tests taken after 8/1/2011, the minimum score is 280. Submit test score document from GRE.
4. Complete a supervised writing assessment conducted by the Department of Teacher Education.
5. Possess an earned Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.E.) degree from a college or university accredited by agencies recognized by Missouri Southern State University.
6. Submit three references; one from current principal and two from professional colleagues. (print three reference forms to distribute)
Stafford Loans can be used for graduate studies until the award is exhausted, provided that the student is degree-seeking.
Lion Pride Tuition: Students in the M.S.Ed. program are eligible for Lion Pride tuition grants in-state tuition to students from Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
TEACH grants are available to graduate studies in Teacher Education; however the funding is linked to federal budget funding, so the amount of award funds may fluctuate.
Books, tuition and student fees are subject to change annually.
In-State and *Lion Pride Tuition - $250 per credit hour
Out of State Tuition - $375 per credit hour
Graduate Program Fee - $20
Equipment Fee - $40
Library Fee - $4
Parking Fee - $36
Southern Student Identification, Lion Card - $10
Health Center (optional) - $60 (graduate students taking six or fewer credit hours)
Recreational Center (optional) - $150 (graduate students taking six or fewer credit hours)
1. The graduate program student must successfully complete the Comprehensive Final Examination. The Teacher Education Department will notify the student with the specific date and time of the exam.
2. The graduation application form must be completed by the student and signed by the graduate program advisor. The completed graduation application must be submitted to the Registrar through the Dean's Office.
3. Prior to commencement, the Missouri Southern State University Registrar's Office will mail commencement information, which will contain a form to order academic regalia.
4. A one-time, graduation fee will be assessed and must be paid,regardless of student participation in the commencement exercise.
Dr. Susan Craig, Ed.D., LPC
Teacher Education Graduate Program Coordinator